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Our History

Our History

The Waldorf School of New Orleans (WSNO), originally called The Hill School, was founded in 2000 by parents seeking an alternative to mainstream education, both public and private. An independent private school serving grades pre-k through 8, we are a member of the Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America (WECAN), and are recognized as a Developing School by the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA). WSNO is also approved by the Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE).

A brief history of the Waldorf School of New Orleans

2000-2001

The Waldorf Parent Association is founded by parents from New Orleans’ first Waldorf Kindergarten (1996-1998). They hire Suzanne Hill from the Toronto Waldorf School to teach their children.

The Hill School begins with five students in grades 2/3 in a room in a house on Chestnut Street.

2001-2002

Suzanne’s class grows to nine students in grades 3/4.

2002-2003

The Hill School expands to two classes, with a second location at St. Charles Avenue Baptist Church.

2003-2004

The Kindergarten opens on Bordeaux Street. The school is now split among three locations.

The school’s first Eighth Grade graduates.

2004-2005

The Kindergarten moves to the Church of the Annunciation.

First grade is at New Home Ministries.

Plans are made to move all the classes to one location at Church of the Annunciation.

The school reopens in November at 517 Soraparu Street, with 9 students. It is the second school to reopen in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina.

2006-2007

First Lantern Walk held at the Labyrinth in November as a celebration of survival.

First annual Starry Night fundraiser is held.

The school gets a visit and support wider Waldorf Community. Torin Finser gives talk at Loyola, which attracts future parents and supporters.

2007-2008

Build out of additional classrooms at 517 Soraparu is completed over the summer.

2008-2009

The Hill School becomes The Waldorf School of New Orleans. It becomes certified by AWSNA as a Developing Waldorf School.

2009-2010

Kindergarten hits enrollment goal of 18 students.

2010-2011

AWSNA Council Meeting and Work Weekend brings volunteers from around the country to our school.

Patrice Maynard gives public talk on Waldorf Education at Loyola Law School.

2011- 2012

Path to full AWSNA certification-- Five-Year Plan: Year 1

WSNO hosts the Council of Anthroposophical Organizations, including leaders from around the country of education, social, and business initiatives grounded in the work of Rudolf Steiner.

2012-2015

Additional modification to the Soraparu location are undertaken to accommodate growing enrollment. We once again begin to explore additional lease/construction options. In 2015, for the first time, waiting lists are instituted for certain classes in the Grade School.

In 2013, WSNO students meet the Dalai Lama on his historic visit to New Orleans.

2015-2016

With school enrollment at more than 90 students, Early Childhood classes are moved to a new location in the My House building at 2010 Peniston, allowing the Grades School class to expand at the Soraparu location.

2016-17

As winners of the New Orleans Public Library's Summer Reading Contest, WSNO students receive a visit to our school from best-selling children's author, R.L. Stine

AWSNA visits the Waldorf School of New Orleans

See how the 2011 AWSNA service weekend was a living example of "many hands make light work." Our play yard and our walls have never looked more beautiful!

Renée Peck, a journalist with NolaVie, conducted a series of stories called Voices on Education, exploring arts-integrated, experiential learning programs in New Orleans schools.

Renée interviewed some of our board, staff, and faculty. She also took a tour of the school so she could see our classrooms in action and came away an enthusiastic proponent of the Waldorf School of New Orleans.

"Waldorf students are encouraged to live with self-assurance, a reverence for life and a sense of service."Ernest Boyer, President, Carnegie Institute for the Advancement of Teaching, Former U.S. Commissioner of Education